Single Review: Funeral For A Friend - Front Row Seats to the End of the World

Released January 24

It went a bit hit-and-miss with 2007 album Tales Don’t Tell Themselves, but Funeral For A Friend are officially back with their new free-download single. ‘Front Row Seats to the End of the World’ will be the first single from Welcome Home Armageddon, the band’s first album since 2008’s Memory and Humanity.

The arena rock hints of Tales Don’t Tell Themselves are gone, replaced by a sound closer to debut album Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation. This is arguably heavier than their much-praised debut, having the grit of early tracks like ‘The Art of American Football’.

Drummer Ryan Richards is on excellent form with his “aggressive vocals” which dominate most of the tracks more memorable moments. It all starts, instrumentally, a bit post-2006 Lostprophets, but this soon gives way to an onslaught most hardcore bands would be proud of.

The riffs are heavy and dirty, matching the powerful growled vocals perfectly. Richards deserves a lot more credit for his hardcore vocals than he gets, although if the rest of the album follows suit he could finally get it.

Matt Davies is on form for the clean vocals, and it’s pretty much business as usual for him. The clean parts are what we expect from FFAF throughout their career. It’s the gritty breakdowns and screamed verses that really make this track so exciting. This could be the renaissance fans have been waiting for, provided they’ve embraced this new-found energy and keep it up for the new album.

Despite being apprehensive at the departure of Darran Smith, bassist-turned-guitarist Gavin Burrough is more than capable. He’s changed instruments effortlessly, and the change in members isn’t noticeable. New bassist Richard Boucher and guitarist Kris Coombs complete the tight line-up.

This is the song Funeral For A Friend fans have been clamouring for. What do you think? Check it out and let us know.